24 points from 24 for Hollington – Little Common slip up

Hollington United 5 Balcombe 0

Mid Sussex premier

The Lions continued their perfect start to the league season with win number eight.

Boss John Carey said: “It was a great team effort from the boys and with some key players missing, the boys that stepped in did a great job.

"In the first half we played some good football and created some good chances and we must have had four one on ones which the Balcombe keeper did well to stop.

"We finally broke the deadlock a few moments later as a great kick by Elliot found Dan Tewkesbury, and with a great touch and perfect finish we found ourselves in familiar territory.

"We hit the back of the net again from a free kick where Zac McEniry headed home, only for the ref seeming to give the goal and then take a long stare at the lineman for him to then raise his flag with the boys ready to kick off again – no goal.

"The second was a counter attack goal which did go in off the defender but with Dan Tewkesbury the last to strike it and the ball goalbound the goal was awarded to him.

"In the second half we put the pressure on and played the better football coming out the traps fast. We knew Balcombe would be a tough test and they were a big strong physical side who will be up there come the end of the campaign.

"Three goals did come from their mistakes, which we capitalised on. A loose ball in the box from a parried save fell nicely to Josh Elliott, who buried it, with Charlie Conford getting on the action and Bradley Pritchard aslo adding to his tally for the season."

Man of the match was Chris Cumming-Bart.

Carey added: "Job done and another clean sheet – that’s four in a row now and 25 goals scored so I really couldn’t ask for more.

"It was nice to give a first team debut to Charlie Collings, called up from the reserves after impressive training displays. He came on and did well. Thanks to everyone that came out to support the boys - it’s great to see.”

This week Hollington go to Sedlescombe.

Crawley Down Gatwick 3 Little Common 1

SCFL premier

Little Common produced a disappointing performance as they slipped to defeat to league leaders Crawley Down.

Common manager Russell Eldridge made a number of changes with Fin Holter, Sam Cruttwell, Sammy Bunn and Alfie Peacock all coming into the starting line-up.

Common made the perfect start, opening the scoring in the ninth minute when Cruttwell’s long throw was flicked into the path of Sammy Bunn and his low drive beat the outstretched arm of the home keeper.

Common almost doubled their lead when Lewis Parsons met a Cruttwell corner, but his goalbound effort was cleared off the line.

The home side grew into the game as the half wore on and began to ask more and more questions of the Common defence. Holter saved well from a free kick on the edge of the area before making another good block as the Common defence appealed for offside. The home side drew level six minutes before the interval when Rhys White skipped past a couple of challenges before slotting home.

The hosts took the lead on the stroke of half-time when a shot cannoned off the bar and White was on hand to tap home the rebound.

Common made the worst possible start to the second half, conceding a third goal in the 47th minute when Holter and Eldridge collided and White was left with the simple task of dribbling into an empty net to complete his hat-trick. Jamie Bunn saw an effort turned round the post for Common and Peacock had an effort which just drifted wide of the post but it was the hosts who won it.

Reigate Priory 3 Westfield 3

Mid Sussex premier

Westfield’s longest journey of the season – to play fifth-placed Reigate Priory – ended with honours even.

Manager Harry Stapley had numerous injury problems but Westfield were buoyed by the returning Callum Smith and Asher Grindle after long absences and handed a first start of the season to Jack Stapley.

The kick off was delayed after Westfield players took over two hours to complete, and the visitors started slowly.

Reigate took an early lead via a penalty after a foul by Ryan Moir on the edge of the box.

Westfield’s usually crisp passing was wayward and lacklustre. Westfield did level, with George Landais getting on the end of a cross by Corey Wheeler to head home.

That good work was soon undone as Reigate retook the lead just before the break after poor marking from a corner allowed a striker a free header.

Westfield changed formation in the second half and introduced Callum Smith.

There was a quick impact with Smith dancing past a couple of defenders and being brought down in the box. Josh Pickering dispatched the penalty confidently.

The re-energised Westfield side caused Reigate to defend deep and hang on bravely.

Chance after chance went begging with numerous players guilty of failing to convert good chances.

A rare foray forward from Reigate led to a corner. Once again poor marking allowed a free header and Reigate were again in front.

Westfield, to their credit, continued to press and were rewarded with an equaliser when Ronnie Austin headed home a George Farrance cross in the 87th minute.

MoM: George Mclean.

Westfield host Ashurst Wood tomorrow.